United Way announces Day of Caring

August 23, 2000

United Way announces Day of Caring

By ANDREA BROWN-HURLEY / Staff Writer

photo: JOE CROCETTA / staff photographer

Participants in United Way of Washington County's 9th annual Day of Caring gathered at the Hagerstown agency Wednesday to announce plans for the Aug. 30 event, which kicks off the 2000 giving campaign.

During the Day of Caring, teams from 17 area businesses will undertake projects designed to improve the community and United Way member agencies.

"Day of Caring is a United Way effort that helps all the communities of Washington County," said Cynthia Oates, who handles communications for the agency.

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Event sponsor Columbia Gas Co. of Maryland contributed $4,000 and partnered with United Way to exchange ideas and plan the Day of Caring, said Event Chairwoman Rhonda McDaniel of Columbia Gas.

The sponsor's "100 percent" support has opened "other avenues of help," said Mike Callas, chairman of the 2000 campaign.

Day of Caring volunteers will deliver Meals-on-Wheels and help with preschool children in addition to the painting, cleaning and general fix-up efforts that they have undertaken in years past, Callas said.

The event is not only about people helping each other, but about "learning what's going on in the community," said United Way Executive Director James Taylor.

"It's going to be a wonderful event," he said.

The day-long Day of Caring will begin with a 7:30 a.m. breakfast at the First Christian Church on Potomac Avenue in Hagerstown.

The 2000 campaign goal, which Callas said is "the largest ever in the history of Washington County," will be announced at the breakfast.